Infiniti is planning on launching three EVs, two of which will be based on the Q and QX Inspiration concepts, pictured here.Handout / Infiniti TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. Thirty years ago, Nirvana was evolving, shoulder pads were shrinking, and Nissan wasnt about to let Toyota (and Lexus) steal all of the thunder in the luxury segment.Enter Infiniti. The end result of the so-called Horizon Task Force, a group of Nissan engineers and execs who banded together a few years prior, the luxury division launched in the U.S. in November 1989 with just two models: The Q45 luxury sedan, and the M30 coupe. We Canucks had to wait an extra year to get in on the action, and even then, the M30 was forbidden fruit instead, we got the G20 sedan. Since then, Infiniti has made its mark in the luxury segment with some remarkable products if you were in high school at any point between 2003 and 2007, theres a solid chance youve lusted after a G35 coupe. And even though its easy to dismiss Infiniti simply as an answer to the likes of Audi, BMW, or even Lexus, it does carry history: Remember the Horizon Task Force? A few members of that team were connected to the Prince Motor Company, the Japanese marque that merged with Nissan in 1966 and the one behind such cars as the R380 race car and the Skyline. Yes, the Skyline.But dont take our word for it. On its Pearl anniversary, Infiniti has also given us a sneak-peek into its near-future. Here, then, is a look at what we can expect from Infiniti over the next few years. Spoiler alert: Get ready for more crossovers and electrification.New infotainment, better smartphone integration For 2020, most Infiniti models get an infotainment update. The new system is more responsive, sharper-looking, and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Handout / Infiniti For 2020, the perhaps biggest news is the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It certainly took Infiniti long enough, but hey, its finally here. This is part of a larger, more cohesive infotainment update across the board; in addition to better smartphone integration, Infinitis InTouch infotainment is now quicker, and boasts sharper graphics and the ability to update itself over-the-air. Its available across the lineup, save for the QX60.The rest of the lineup tweaks are relatively minor in nature the 2.0L turbo-four has been axed on the Q50 and Q60, making the 300-horsepower, 3.0L twin-turbo V6 the base engine on those two. The QX50, meanwhile, gains a handful of active driving assists now standard, and the QX80 gets a new gauge cluster with a seven-inch display, as well as fancy metal speaker grilles.In the U.S., Infiniti will offer Edition 30 variants of its entire lineup. Its essentially a cosmetic package available on Q50 and 60, plus the QX50, 60, and 80, adding black accents and wheels, unique badging and colour options, and a few extra bells and whistles. However, these wont be available in Canada, as we didnt get Infiniti until 1990. Not much sense in offering an Edition 29 now, is there?We’re getting more crossovers next year Infiniti’s QX55, essentially a QX50 with a more rakish roofline, is coming next year. Handout / Infiniti This one was almost inevitable crossover coupes are here to stay, and Infinitis getting in on the action with the QX55. It shares its major underpinnings with the QX50 including the 2.0-litre variable-compression turbo-four as well as various interior appointments and exterior bits, but naturally, wears a more rakish roofline thats actually quite reminiscent of the original FX. Infiniti isnt dishing full details on the QX55 just yet, but count on seeing it in dealers next summer as a 2021 model. Itll be closely followed by a redesigned QX60, but Infiniti is tight-lipped on the exact timing for that one.You guessed it — electrification Infiniti is planning on launching three EVs, two of which will be based on the Q and QX Inspiration concepts, pictured here. Handout / Infiniti Infiniti pioneered a handful of tech and conveniences we take for granted these days the 2003 Q45 was the first mainstream car with a back-up camera, and a few years later, the brand took the 360-degree camera system mainstream. Hell, in 1989, Infiniti was the first to offer loaner cars for whenever yours was in for service.Well, in a way, Infiniti is keeping that pioneering spirit going with its commitment to electrification. Powering cars with electrons is nothing new, but in a nutshell, the Q, Qs, and QX Inspiration concepts will inspire three new EVs two sedans, one crossover thatll enter production by 2023. Well see two distinct flavours: A fully electric EV, as well as a gas-generated variant.Both will use the same platform a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup but the execution will vary slightly. For fully electric variants, a high-capacity battery pack will live on the floor pan, between the motors living on the front and rear axles. The gas-generated variants, however,
Origin: Here’s what we can expect from Infiniti by 2023